| Headaches are a common problem. About 12% of | | | | tablets available at health foods stores; use fresh or |
| the population suffers from migraines; counting sinus, | | | | powdered ginger when you cook, eat crystallized |
| tension, and cluster headaches, that number probably | | | | ginger, or put fresh-grated ginger in a drink. Ginger is |
| approaches 100%. While over-the-counter and | | | | useful for migraines as well as other headaches, and |
| prescription headache remedies often are | | | | also eases nausea.Honey is a natural sugar, |
| appropriate, the expense and side effects can be | | | | pre-digested by bees, that has been used since Bible |
| problematic for some people.These problems may be | | | | times. It contains potassium and magnesium, which |
| avoided with any of a wide selection of herbal and | | | | will help relax the arteries and allow more blood to |
| mineral supplements. Here are some you can try; | | | | flow to the brain. Try taking a couple of teaspoons if |
| they're listed in alphabetical order, and, as always, you | | | | you feel a migraine coming on; it also might help with |
| should check with your health care provider if you | | | | a hangover. Try boiling equal parts of honey and |
| have any questions.General precautions:-- Some are | | | | apple cider vinegar and inhaling the steam.Lavender |
| not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or | | | | reduces pain and relaxes. Massage or sniff as with |
| children under age two. | | | | eucalyptus oil.Lithium, a salt that is used to treat |
| -- Don't take any of these with Coumadin or other | | | | bipolar disorder, can help those suffering from cluster |
| blood thinners without consulting a doctor or | | | | headaches. It is available at the health foods |
| pharmacist. | | | | store.Marjoram eases muscle tension.Menthol |
| -- Don't take them if you have kidney problems | | | | preparations can be helpful in relieving tension |
| without consulting a doctor or pharmacist.Butterbur. | | | | headaches. Massage the oil into your |
| Sold under the brand name Petadolex, it should be | | | | temples.Magnesium. Headache sufferers sometimes |
| taken regularly, as a preventative; you may not be | | | | have underlying magnesium deficiency. Following the |
| able to find it at the health foods store (if not, do an | | | | recommended dosage on the label, take with meals, |
| Internet search), and it's not inexpensive.Cayenne. | | | | but not with dairy products--magnesium interferes |
| Cayenne dilates your blood vessels, improving | | | | with calcium absorption.Milk thistle, like feverfew, has |
| circulation; it is also a natural analgesic. You can buy | | | | been subject to many clinical trials that clearly |
| cayenne capsules and take them regularly as a | | | | demonstrate its effectiveness. It is frequently |
| preventative; or you can take cayenne on an | | | | recommended to counteract the harmful effects of |
| as-needed basis, and if you have cayenne (red | | | | alcohol and other drugs on the liver. Silymarin, a |
| pepper) in your spice cupboard, it'll do. Put some in a | | | | powerful anti-oxidant, is largely responsible for the |
| glass of water, or a cup of tea, coffee, or hot | | | | medical benefits of this herb.Mustard. Soak your feet |
| chocolate. How much is effective without being | | | | for 10-20 minutes in a hot foot bath to which you |
| overpowering is something you'll have to experiment | | | | have added 2 teaspoons of powdered mustard. The |
| to discover; start with 1/8 teaspoon and work your | | | | heat and mustard will work together to ease your |
| way up. You may be able to tolerate a whole | | | | headache, and mustard powder is available at the |
| teaspoon--but you may find relief from a lot | | | | grocery store.Passiflora incarnata, a tropical herb, has |
| less.Celery seeds. You can find these at the grocery | | | | been used since the 19th century for nervous |
| store. Soak the seeds in hot water, strain, and sip like | | | | conditions. Clinical trials have demonstrated the |
| tea.Chamomile. Chamomile tea is calming and soothing, | | | | relaxing and calming effects of Passiflora; it is often |
| and readily available at the grocery store.Cinnamon | | | | recommended to treat anxiety and reduce |
| reduces stress, loosens tight muscles, and lowers | | | | tension.Peppermint reduces pain and tension. Massage |
| blood pressure--all of which ease a | | | | or sniff as with the other oils. (Warning: keep the |
| headache.Co-Enzyme Q10 acts on energy production | | | | peppermint oil away from your eyes!) This may be |
| within the mitochondria in the cells.Eucalyptus oil. This | | | | beneficial for tension headaches. Drink peppermint |
| is an essential oil; put a few drops of this in a carrier | | | | tea, available at the grocery store.Riboflavin (vitamin |
| oil (vegetable, olive, etc.) and massage into your | | | | B-2), like CoQ10, acts on energy production within |
| forehead to help with tension headaches. Also, try | | | | the mitochondria; see package for the recommended |
| putting a few drops on a handkerchief and sniffing | | | | dosage.Rosemary. Rosemary oil helps keep blood |
| it.Feverfew and ginkgo reduce migraines and vascular | | | | vessels dilated; rub a few drops of it into your |
| headaches by reducing blood vessel dilation and | | | | temples. Or make a rosemary tea using one |
| spasms. They also have anti-inflammatory properties; | | | | teaspoon of rosemary in a cup of hot water; cover |
| ginkgo, in addition, relieves dizziness often associated | | | | and steep for 10 minutes; strain and drink.Valerian |
| with headaches. You can try chewing feverfew | | | | reduces tension and pain. It's available in capsule form |
| leaves, although they are very bitter; or get a | | | | at the health foods store.White willow bark will give |
| tincture or capsules. This is a good remedy for | | | | you results similar to aspirin, but is much gentler on |
| migraine or cluster headaches. Feverfew appears to | | | | the stomach. This is the natural ingredient from which |
| be better at prevention than treatment of migraines, | | | | aspirin is made. Capsules or tincture can be found in |
| so you may want to take it on a regular basis. Both | | | | health foods stores.So, if you, like many people |
| are available at health foods stores.Ginger relaxes | | | | today, hesitate to spend the money--and take the |
| blood vessels in the head and reduces swelling in the | | | | risk--sometimes associated with traditional |
| brain, and activates natural opiates in the brain that | | | | medications, try these first. For most headache |
| relieve pain. It can be taken in the form of tea or in | | | | sufferers, it can't hurt.Lisa J. |